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TCU: What are sources?

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources

A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study.

A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources.

A tertiary source indexes, abstracts, organizes, compiles, or digests other sources.

List of primary, secondary and tertiary sources compiled by the University of Minnesota.


Primary, Secondary, & Tertiary Sources' video by Suffolk County Community College Library

Popular Magazines vs. Trade Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals

Journal articles are typically referred to as "scholarly," while magazine articles are usually considered "popular". A third category, "trade" magazines or journals, are written for professionals in a particular field but are not strictly research related.

Refer to the Colorado State University Libraries website on the differences


Scholarly vs. Popular Articles video by Georgia State University Library

How to Evaluate Sources